Her voice

"Veretta? "

Tomas had just returned to the castle. He had been travelling through the court yard when a lone figure caught his eye. Veretta was standing with her face rigidly staring up. The sky above was unusually clear. Tomas had never once seen the castle not covered in a thick veil of clouds. From what he knew that was intentional. Yet tonight, it was incredibly clear. He walked slowly up Veretta surprised to discover her there.

He was about to reach to her, but paused. Perhaps, it was the light of stars playing tricks, somehow Veretta eyes seemed to be coated in amethyst glow. Nevertheless, His senses kicked in and he shook her shoulder lightly. She turned her gaze to him. Her soft green eyes met his. Had he been deceived?

"What are you doing here?" He asked.

For a moment, she appeared in a trance, then a look of confusion took hold, " I don't know, " she replied.

"Where is Michael? Tomas questioned.

"I...we were eating and then...I can't remember. The next thing I knew I was here," Veretta frowned, " where have you been,Tomas? I've been looking for you,"

"I'm sorry," Tomas looked away guiltily, "I've been working with Michael,"

"Doing what?" Veretta asked, concerned.

"It's hard to explain..." Tomas's voice trailed.

"Tomas, did you bring it?" At that moment, Estelle appeared across from them.

Tomas turned abruptly to face her. Estelle's red hair was pulled back in a plait and she still wore her armour. Her injuries had somewhat healed, but her face still bore the scars of battle. Her steely grey eyes fell on Veretta.

"Who is this?" Veretta questioned.

"This is Estelle," Tomas shifted uncomfortably, "She's helping Michael as well. Estelle, this is my friend Veretta,"

Estelle gave a slight bow, "Hello," she said briskly then returned to Tomas expectantly.

"I have it,"Tomas sighed.

"Very well," Estelle replied, "bring it up to the chamber,"

Tomas grimaced as she said these words. Estelle marched away in the same unceremoniously fashion.

"I'm sorry, I have to leave,"Tomas said quietly.

"Tomas, what is going on? Please talk to me," Veretta pleaded.

"I want to... just..not right now. Not here, there are eyes watching,"Tomas's voice dropped to a whisper, "I will come and find you tomorrow. You need to go back before they find you wandering out here,"

Veretta gave a sad nod and started back. Tomas watched her go apprehensively. He began his own journey back. He found Estelle waiting impatiently in her room. As soon as she noticed him, she swept herself up quickly from the fireplace littered with books and held out her hand expectantly,"Give it me," she ordered.

"Here," Tomas handed Estelle a wax bound letter.

She quickly tore it open and read its contents.

"Are you sure Michael would want you to read that?" Tomas crossed his arms with annoyance.

Estelle ignored him. When she had finished reading it, she folded it back up and shoved it back into Tomas's hand, "You can go."

"I'm supposed to wait till Michael returns, " Tomas stood his ground.

"Then wait elsewhere," Estelle returned coldly.

"What is your problem? "Tomas scoffed, "I didn't even have to show you that letter. I probably shouldn't have,"

"Are you so blinded by the hubris of your master you cannot remember your place?" Estelle returned icily.

"What place would that be?" Tomas retorted.

"You gave up your birthright, your duty and your loyalty for your own selfish desire," Estelle's eyes narrowed, "you have no place in dictating me nor anyone else. Serve your master as you will, but do not suppose our temporary affiliation to be friendship, "

"First of all, Michael is not my master. Secondly, at this moment, you are no more a Princess than I am a Prince," Tomas rejoined irritably, " I am not a dog. Don't speak to me as if I am inferior. We used to be friends, Estelle. Why are you acting like this? "

"You helped that man steal our land, how else should I address you?"

"Michael saved your life," Tomas returned sharply.

"For his own gain. I owe him no thanks," Estelle turned her back to him, " if you must wait here, let us be as we are - enemies with a common goal,"

"We are not enemies, Estelle! "Tomas argued, "our families have been allies for centuries! "

"A family you abandoned, " Estelle replied flatly, "the boy I knew died many years ago. I know not who you are or what your purpose is. You and I no longer have any association, "

"So be it," Tomas exhaled venomously.

The room was overtaken by silence. Neither said a word...

Until, an abrupt knock came at the door. Darius hastened inside.

"I did not give you permission to enter," Estelle glared.

"Ah, forgive me...it's Michael," Darius began breathlessly to recount the evening.

Estelle shook her upon hearing the story, " As I thought, that man cannot be relied upon,"

Darius' brow furrowed, " What were you two doing here?"

"That is none of your concern," Estelle replied brusquely, "the question is will Silthus kill him?"

"I don't know, "Darius flustered, " They have a strange relationship...almost like friends. It depends on whether Michael gives the right answers to the questions Silthus asks. I can't tell what Michael is thinking at all,"

"Michael has a temper, but he doesn't act rashly, " Tomas said thoughtfully, "I doubt he would do anything that would endanger our...his goal,"

Darius raised an eyebrow suspiciously, "Well, let us hope he wakes quickly. He is with the healers now, but Silthus will not wait,"

"Bring me to him," Estelle demanded.

"For what reason?" Darius questioned.

"My people are the best healers on the continent," Estelle answered, " I will do better than of these mindless minions,"

They quickly departed to Michael's room. His bed was surrounded by a liturgy of cloaked healers. Estelle at once lambasted her way through reaching Michael's side. He was sweating profusely in the heat of a fever. Estelle placed her hand upon his brow.

"Is she really such a great healer?" Darius observed.

"Yes, the woman of the West are blessed with the healing powers of the goddess," Tomas responded in a low voice.

"And do you trust Michael will be able to calm Silthus' wrath?" Darius followed gravely.

"If it is in his interest, I have no doubt he will prevail, " Tomas answered begrudgingly, " but why are you concerned with Michael success? I doubt it will effect you,"

"I don't want him to die," Darius hesitated, " he is indeed rageful and conceited, but I owe him life,"

After saying this, both waited silently whilst Estelle continued with healing. Finally, she released her hand and turned back.

"I have done what I can," she uttered upon passing and left the room.

"We will have to wait till tomorrow to see if he wakes," Darius sighed deeply.

Tomas passed him one more glance and with a nod departed.

Michael's appearance had become subdued. Though he remained restless in his slumber. A stream of memories taunted him, half dreams and half waking nightmares.

He could feel the cool sensation of cold brick against his back and the musky smell of the Empire's dungeons so vividly, it was though he was actually there. And there she was straddled over him, her hands around his neck. It was a memory that kept returning. The moment he made his gravest mistake...

"Take it back right now because I'd rather kill you than let anyone else have you!" Her shrill voice pierced Michael's ears, hysterical and desperate.

"Isn't that a bit selfish?" Michael smiled. "You don't even really love me,"

"Yes I DO!" she screamed.

"You just want someone to love you. It doesn't have to be me. It could be anyone," Michael returned indifferently.

"No!" She slammed a hand down beside him, "I want you! I want you! I want you!"

"I said I would try to love you, but you're making it really difficult for me. Didn't I treat you well once we left? I did what you asked me to. What more do you want from me?" the words escaped Michael's lips as they had that day.

"I want you. Entirely. No lies. Just as you are," she stared down tearfully, "If you had told me the truth I would have still helped you!"

"In the end, it isn't me that you'll choose. It's Clover. So I still have to protect myself. Can't you understand that much?" Michael tried to break from her grip.

She wrapped her hands around his throat again, "Don't you trust me?!"

"I don't trust anyone. Especially not women," Michael replied quietly

"Why not?" she interrogated.

Michael just smiled and didn't answer. As tears fell down her face, her expression drained of emotion.

"I can't fix you, can I?" she said flatly.

"I'm not broken," Michael said coolly.

She began to tighten her grip. She had done it so many times before. Just a little tighter and...

"KALANDRA!!"

Michael woke up like a shot, drenched in cold sweat.